Will of John Wetherell Dye - 1769 - 1847

John Wetherell Dye was the son of Nehemiah and Rachel Wetherell Dye and the grandson of WIlliam and Margaret Salter Dey/Dye. Nehemiah was one of the sons of William Dey/Dye who remained in Cranbury, New Jersey and appears to have inhereted a lot of William's holdings. John Wetherell Dye married Catherine Scudder.

In the name of God Amen

I John Wetherell Dye of the township of South Brunswick Conty of Middlesex and State of New Jersey. Farmer. Being in good health and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make an dpublish this my last wikll and testament.

First. I order and direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid.

Item. I give and devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Catherine Dye (Scudder) One thousand dollars lawful money in cash to be paid to her within one month after my decease by my executors herein named after named: charging the same upon all my real estate until it be paid. Also whatever she shall choose to take of my household furniture, bedding and utensils. Also one horse waggon and harness and two cows all of which she shall select from my stock. Also my servant Dinah. Also the best room or whatever one she shall select in the house where I now live provided she chooses to live with my son Charles in which case my said son shall board her and her servant Dinah free of charge and expense as long as they live and shall provide for the cattle from the farm hereinafter devised to him and shall furnish fire wood cut and delivered as much as shall be required.

But if my wife chooses to board elsewhere then I direct my executors to pay her board and that of her servant Dinah whatever the same may be quarterly and also to pay for the keep of her cattle if she should choose to take them with her hereby charging the support and maintenance of my said wife, her servant Dinah and her stock upon the farm hereinafter devised to my son Charles. The aforesaid bequests and legacies to be in lieu of my wifes right of dower in my property and of her share of the personal estate.

Item. I give devise and bequeath to my son Ralph Lot Dye to him his heirs and assigns in fee simple; half of the saw mill tract of land now used by him and his brother Isaac. All of the "Wilson Place" except what is hereafter devised to my daughter Catherine, wife of William Joline and the Cruser lot.

Item. I give devise and bequeath to my son Isaac Scudder Dye to him his heirs and assigns in fee simple the farm or plantation he now lives upon together with the buildings and improvements on the same. Also the other half of the saw mill tract.

Item. I give devise and bequeath to my son Nehemiah Dye to him his heirs and assigns in fee simple the tract of land known as the "Story Tract" and one half of the
Wilton wood lot together with the buildings and improvements on the same. And I give devise and bequeath to his daughter Catherine Mary Dye to her her heirs and assigns in fee simple the three and a half acre wood lot next to David Griggs. The same to remain in possession and use of her father free of charges or rent he paying the taxes untill she shall marry or arrive at the age of twenty one years but if she dies before either event then to my said son Nehemiah his heirs and assigns in fee simple.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Charles Jones Dye to him his heirs and assigns in fee simple the homestead farm on which I now live together with the buildings and improvements on the same. Also two ploughs, two harrows, one farm waggon and harness, two horses and one colt and the time of my servant "Bobby".

Item. I give and devise and bequeath to my grand children Matthew Rue Dye and John Wetherell Dye to them their heirs and assigns in fee simple the "King Lot". The said lot to remain in the use and possession of my said son Charles Dye free of rent or charges except for taxes untill the eldest boy shall arrive at the age of twenty one years when the lot shall be equally divided and possession of one half given to the boy so arriving at age. The other half to remain as aforesaid untill the other boy shall arrive at the age of twenty one years when possession of his half shall be given to him. But if either of said boys shall die before reaching the age of twenty one years, then the surviving brother shall take possession of the whole King lot on reaching the age of twenty one eyars. But if both my said grandchildren should die before reaching the age of twenty one years then I order and direct my executors or the survivors of them to sell the said King lot for the best price they can obtain and for the executors to divide the proceeds of the sale equally share and share alike among all my children who may be living at the time of sale.

Item. I give devise and bequeath to my daughter Rose Allen Duncan wife of John I Duncan one half of the wood land on Cranberry neck and one quarter of the Tilton wood lot, to have, hold, use and enjoy the same during the term of her natural life and for and after the termination of her life estate there in feel simple to her lawful issue equally to be divided among them share and share alike. The issue of any deceased child taking the share of the parent to be divided among their share and share alike.

Item. I give, devise, and bequeath to my daughter Mary Scott Brittain wife of Dean Brittain the other half of the woodland on Cranberry Neck and the other quarter of the Tilton woodlot to have hold use and enjoy the same during the term of her natural life and for and after the termination of her life estate there in feel simple to her lawful issue equally to be divided among them share and share alike.

Item. I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter Catherine Ann Ioline wife of William Ioline one hundred acres of land in one body being the Eastern end of the Wilson place bounded partly by the road leading from the plain xxxxx to Cranberry together with the buildings and improvements on the same now in the possession and use of her husband. The rest of this tract is devised to my son Ralph to have hold use during the term of her (yes, her) natural life and for and after the termination of her natural life estate then in fee simple to her lawful issue equally to be divided among them share and share alike. The issue of any decreased child taking the share of the parent to be divided among them share and share alike.

Item. And as regards my monies at interest or loaned out I give devise and bequeath the same after decucting therefrom if necessary the one thousand dollard herein before given to my wife - to my three daughters - Rose Allen Duncan, Mary Scott Brittain and Catherine Ann Ioline to them and their children equally to be divided among them share and share alike within one year after my death. Any one of my said daughters being dead, the lawful issue to take their mothers share and share alike. The said money to be paid to my said daughters and their receipt in xxxx to be good and sufficient therefore not withstanding their coverture (?). It being my will that the monies so left shall be for the exclusive benefit of my daughters and no way subject or liable to the controll or debts of their said husbands. Also I give devise and bequeath the rest of my bedding and furniture after myu wife has taken what she wants, and if she does not take any, then all to my three daughters equallly to be divided share and share alike.

Item. And I do further order direct and empower my executors or the suvivors as soon as may be convenient after my death - not longer than one year - to sell and convey in fee simple, for the best price they can obtain my sawmill and five acres of land immediately adjoining it with the dam at its present height, and the use of the water in the mill pond, and after the said sale, furtherunto to divide the proceeds of the said sale among such of my sons as may there be living share and share alike.

I also give and bequeath one horse to my grandson John Wetherill Dye if he arrives at the age of twenty one years. My son Charles to choose the horse.

And as to the rest and residue of my estate real personal or mixed which is not herein before disposed of, I order and direct the same equally to be divided among all my children living at the time of my death.

I also order and direct my executors if any of my children or heirs present bills or claims of any kind against my estate to deduct the amount or value from the bequest or devise made in this will to said child or heir so presenting a bill or claim and nothing in this will shall be so construed as to cancell any bond notes, claim or book account which I may have against any of my children or heirs.

Lastly. I hereby constitute and approve my two sons Ralph Lot Dye and Charles Jones Dye and the survivors of them executor and executors of this my last will and testament.

In Witness where of I John Wetherell (inserted) have to his my will consisting of four half sheets of papet set my hand and seal this third day of Decenber Eighteen hundred and forty five.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named John Wetherell Dye as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names and witnesses thereunto. The middle name Wertherell being interlined between John and Dye where the same occurs and all other instructions as well as John written in xxxxxx made and written before the execution of this will and before our signing this attenstation.

Signed:

A true and perfect Inventory and xxxx of the personal property of John Wetherell Dye Late of the County of Middlesex decreased. Made by Ralph L. Dye and Charles Jones Dye Executors and Domineus Meishon and George Barcley two disinterestred freeholders this thirty first day of March eighteen hundred and fourty seven.